Jawbone MINI JAMBOX Battery Replacement

Introduction

The battery is one of the most fundamental components to the JAMBOX MINI. It is used to power the device. Replacing it is very difficult and should only be attempted if absolutely necessary.

Tools Required:

• Metal Spudger
• Soldering Iron
• T6 Torx Screwdriver

Step 1 — Outer Case

Using the standard metal spudger, begin by prying at the bottom of the plain rubber end cap (the end without the USB or auxiliary input).

Image Description: A hand is shown using a metal spudger to pry off the rubber end cap of the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX.

Step 2

Continue prying around the end panel, prying at different points until the entire panel is out of its seating.

Carefully remove the end panel. The tabs which connect the panel are on the short sides.

⚠️ WARNING: You will likely cause cosmetic damage to the end cap.

Image Description: A hand is shown removing the end panel from the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX.

Step 3

Slide out the rubber foot located on the bottom of the case.

Image Description: A hand is shown sliding a rubber foot off the bottom of the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX casing.

Step 4

Using a T6 bit, remove the flat-topped 5mm screw located on the bottom of the casing, underneath the rubber foot.

✔️ This is the only flat-topped screw in the speaker, so keep track of which one it is.

Image Description: A hand is shown using a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove a screw from the bottom of the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX casing, located under where the rubber foot was.

Step 5

Push against the side without the end cap to slide the internal components out of the case.

While holding the metal outer casing with one hand, press on the black inner plastic casing with your thumb.

ℹ️ It will be very difficult the first time. There is a rubber seal on the outside of the plastic inner case that creates a lot of friction with the metal outer case.

Image Description: A sequence of images shows hands pushing the internal components of the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX out of its metal casing.

Step 6 — Motherboard

Remove all connecting ribbons from the motherboard.

• One ZIF (zero insertion force) ribbon connecting at the side.
• One standard ribbon connector in the middle. (Note: this ZIF ribbon is lightly glued to the surface).

Image Description: A close-up view of the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX motherboard, showing the speakers and various ribbon connectors.

Step 7

Unscrew all four 5mm T6 screws holding the motherboard to the plastic case.

ℹ️ Unlike the flat-topped screw holding the metal housing, these screws are round-topped.

Image Description: The Jawbone MINI JAMBOX motherboard is shown, with four round-topped screws circled in red, indicating which ones to remove.

Step 8

Desolder the grounding plug from the motherboard.

• Make sure your soldering iron is tinned and carefully touch the tip of your iron to the grounding lug.
• Allow the solder to liquefy. While liquefied, lift the motherboard off the grounding lug.

⚠️ WARNING: Do not allow the solder to spill over and bridge any connection on the motherboard.

New to soldering? Look at iFixit's soldering guide here.

Image Description: The Jawbone MINI JAMBOX motherboard is shown, with the grounding plug circled in red, indicating the area to desolder.

Step 9

Carefully lift the motherboard out of the plastic housing.

Image Description: A hand is shown carefully lifting the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX motherboard out of its plastic casing.

Step 10 — Battery

Once the motherboard has been removed, insert a standard metal spudger in between the outer and inner casing of the battery housing.

Image Description: With the motherboard removed, a metal spudger is inserted between the outer and inner casing of the battery compartment in the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX.

Step 11

With the metal spudger in place, pry the inner plastic housing away from the outer housing.

Four tabs lock the sides into place, but only two need to be unhinged to remove the battery housing.

Image Description: A metal spudger is used to pry the inner plastic housing away from the outer casing of the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX, revealing the battery.

Step 12

After undoing the tabs on one side, pull up and away from the side that is still locked in place. This will remove the battery housing.

Once all of the tabs have been undone, the inner housing will pop out and the battery will be accessible.

ℹ️ It may require some force to undo the last two tabs.

Image Description: Hands are shown removing the battery housing from the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX.

Step 13

There is a sticky adhesive on the bottom of the battery that keeps it in place. Insert a metal spudger under the side of the battery and gently begin to pry the battery away from the base.

Image Description: A metal spudger is used to carefully pry the old battery out of its compartment within the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX.

Step 14

Once the battery has been removed, it can be replaced.

Once the new battery is in place, snap the inner housing back into its locked position.

Image Description: Two images show the old battery removed and the new battery being placed into the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX.

Step 15 — Select a Replacement Battery

See also What to get a replacement battery?

I did not find a direct replacement identical battery on the market. I bought a battery for $6 on eBay.

My considerations: The voltage is 3.7V. The storage is at least 900mAh. The mechanical dimensions have to fit inside the compartment. I selected a two-wire battery because I'm not understanding what the third wire is for, so I'm keeping the old power control board and ribbon cable.

There is also a consideration of mass, that needs to match also. I found my new battery with larger dimensions was actually lighter. I will show how to add mass.

Image Description: Images show a caliper measuring dimensions, a battery with its connector, and a battery on a digital scale.

Step 16 — Remove the power controller board from the old battery

Unwrap and conserve the (hopefully functioning) power controller board from the old battery by cutting the tabs. The tabs are thin and soft and cut easily with a razor. Disconnect the positive terminal first. A voltmeter was used to find that the battery case is positive.

The tabs were trimmed about 1/8" from the board, just enough remaining so that they could later be folded over the wires of the new battery.

Image Description: The old battery is shown with its power controller board attached. The positive and negative terminals are indicated. The board is being carefully detached.

Step 17 — Connect the Power Controller to the New Battery

Cut the connector off of the new battery, ONE WIRE AT A TIME, so that you do not short-circuit the battery.

Position the power board approximately and route and trim the wires to length.

Strip and tin the wire ends on the new battery.

Connect the red wire of the new battery to the positive terminal of the board, and the black wire to the negative terminal. You may fold the tab over the wire to hold it while you solder.

Image Description: The new battery is shown with the power controller board connected, wires routed, and ready for soldering.

Step 18 — Test fit and adjust the mass

Verify the new battery fits in the compartment. The battery clip was omitted, and care was taken in routing the wires. Verify the ribbon cable does not twist or strain. The power controller was tucked well beneath the motherboard. Exercise care not to short-circuit the power controller board to the motherboard.

Observe that Jawbone did not follow the engineering principle of separation of functions. Jawbone used the battery as the mass in a mass-spring acoustic resonator. So the mass needs to be close to the original. A couple of dimes were added to make up for the new battery being light and discarding the battery clip.

Image Description: A new battery is placed on a digital scale, showing a weight of 18.55g, alongside a couple of dimes.

Step 19 — Install the battery

Select a lightweight adhesive. Tacky glue was used.

Glue the battery into the compartment.

Glue the battery controller board to the battery and position it so that the ribbon cable is aligned with the connector. A large rubber band (or sponge) was used between the power controller board and the motherboard to temporarily hold the position while the glue dried.

Glue the extra mass to the battery.

Reconnect the battery cable to the motherboard. Tilt the black lever up, slide the cable in, and tilt down firmly.

If you have succeeded, you'll be able to charge the battery while the glue dries.

To reassemble your device, replace the battery and snap the inner casing back into place. Then do the remaining steps in reverse order.

Image Description: The Jawbone MINI JAMBOX is shown with the new battery and controller board installed, ready for reassembly.